Packing up

[Jillsamm2]

We've had our PU for a few years now but it is always a struggle getting the top all the way down when we pack up.

We have PU Rockwood Freedom with one slideout .

What is the best process to put the roof down? Is there a specific method you recomment to tuck it all in?


Also---

Another thing we struggle with is getting all the velcro to match up on the door while we are putting it up. It becomes so taut that it is hard to velcro the door in. Anyone else have this problem and if so, any tips on how to avoid this?

Thank you!

[rowdy boys 3]

I had a pop up 24 years ago, yes they can be arduous at best to pack and unpack...

[HangDiver]

When I had a Pop Up it was time consuming to break down. I would lower the top 1/3 of the way down, walk around the camper tucking in the loose vinyl/screen, lower it a little more, walk all around tucking in more, and just kept circling the camper while tucking/folding the fabric under the lid, lowering the lid a little at a time. I had a Viking and the door was always a pain in butt.

[Underthedog]

-Store door
-Put slide in, leave fabric hanging outside to avoid getting it tangled when beds slide in.
-Slide beds in
-Tuck in all fabric. We usually put the slide fabric 'over' the bed fabric.
-Remove roof locks, if any
-Lower about halfway. climb in and pull in all fabric.
-Pull all curtains in so they lay 'flat'
-Lower until you can just get in and pull in fabric again.
-Lower to close
-Might need additional tuck from outside as roof closes.

We never really had trouble with the door setup/velcro. Our FR pup had the red roof limit wire cut too short and it always pulled out before the roof was high enough to accommodate the door so I took it off.

With our Coleman pups (and kids) we could setup/breakdown in about 30 min. The FR pup (and just two of us) was about 10 min longer.

[Falcon900Guy]

When putting the screen door on, is that during the set up?
What I used to have to do when putting the canvass on the boat for the winter, was to wet it a little. It would stretch and allow the snaps to snap. It was impossible to get it snapped shut when it was dry.
If your breaking down camp, probably not a good idea to put up canvass when wet.

[IPcamper]

We had a Coleman/Fleetwood pop-up for 20 years. I found that if you bring the roof down all the way ( carefully tucking the sides in as you go ) and let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes while doing other stuff, the weight of the roof would compress the fabric and settle down a bit more. The latches would be easier to set.

[Guncho]

If you push down on the top of the roof in the corner you are latching it might give you that little extra you need.

[Campworthy]

I use a rubber broom (see link below) to help push/tuck in the canvas as much as possible. You want to get the vinyl/canvas as flat as you can, which will help.
In my case I can't leave any bedding or my mattress topper on, as it's impossible to latch else.
I pull all my privacy curtains to the middle of the rail, as there seems to be a lot going on in the corners, so I try to reduce the bulking as much as possible.
Once it is down, we leave it for 15 minutes, to let gravity do the rest. We finish packing the truck, deal with the trash, toilet break. So latching is the last thing we do.

Also, don't be afraid to adjust your latches accordingly on each trip. Normally, going to the camp trip mine are adjusted pretty snug, as the pop-up has sat in the garage a couple of weeks, but I will slack them off a bit coming home, as the canvas/vinyl hasn't settled enough for a tight latch.

I have to admit closing up and tucking in is one of things, that could drive me to the dark side! (hard side trailer) It's always a pain and honestly, no two pack away/tuck ins are ever the same! sometimes it lays nice & flat, sometimes it doesn't. So you are not alone!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000EFDOOA...r%2Bbroom&th=1

[Campworthy]

Also, as far as the velcro being really tight to the door, could it be that that side vinyl panel needs adjusting in the track?
The vinyl panel slides into a C channel and is secured each end with a screw. Forest River is not know for great build quality, so maybe your panel is not in the correct position. Mine is the opposite to yours, my panel is too close to the door, leaving a baggy fit but tight where it zips to the bunk end. You could see if you can adjust it.